Week Three Bowl Projections

Every week I will be putting up an updated bowl prediction out there. It will include all the BCS and Big Ten bowls. Every few weeks I will include all of the bowls. The selection order for the BCS is:


1) National Championship
2) National Championship
3) Bowl that lost a representative to the first NC pick
4) Bowl that lost a representative to the second NC pick
5) Fiesta Bowl
6) Sugar Bowl
7) Orange Bowl






BCS National Championship Game: LSU v. Oklahoma
I continue to flip between LSU and Alabama as the SEC champion but that could stop this week as the Tigers travel to Morgantown for a prime time showdown with the Mountaineers and the Tide hosts Arkansas.  Right now I a m taking the Tigers who have the more impressive resume.  Oklahoma had a fantastic win against the Noles in Tallahassee and, while they look to face some tough challenges in conference play, the Sooners look like the only team capable of challenging the SEC champion this season.

Rose Bowl: Wisconsin v. Stanford
The Badgers have not been challenged yet but considering other teams in the Big Ten have struggled with similar opponents it is fair to put the Badgers here.  Stanford has quietly been very impressive the past few weeks and I think it is time to jump on the Cardinal bandwagon.  Oregon may have something to say down the road but for now, Andrew Luck's squad is here.

 
Sugar Bowl: Alabama v. Boise State
Say it with me now: SEC West runner up versus Boise State.  This matchup is about as locked as you can get unless the Fiesta bowl would like to have the Broncos.  If Boise played anybody the rest of the season then this would be more interesting but thanks to a ridiculous hype machine and a cushy schedule they will cruise here. 

Fiesta Bowl: Oregon v. NebraskaWe could see Boise be picked with the Fiesta's first selection instead of Oregon but I think they go with the Ducks.  Nebraska makes a good replacement for Oklahoma.  Even though the Huskers haven't been particularly impressive this season, they will get the nod because of their massive traveling fan base. 

Orange Bowl: South Florida v. Virginia Tech
The Bulls continue to impress as they droped 70 on their FCS opponent this weekend.  Virginia Tech is the big question mark right now since they haven't played anyone of note yet and haven't looked particularly impressive.  The Hokies are my pick but Clemson, Florida State, and even Georgia Tech look capable of taking this spot.

Capital One Bowl: Michigan v. Florida

The Wolverines continue to roll but this pick is certainly not locked in stone.  Michigan has to stand strong against SDSU this weekend in order to keep this spot.  Florida looked very impressive against Tennessee while South Carolina struggled with Navy and that is why I am moving the Gators ahead of the Gamecocks in the bowl pecking order to set up a rematch of 2008's Capital One Bowl.

Outback Bowl: Illinois v. South Carolina

The Illini got a very nice win at home against Arizona State Saturday and I believe they will make a lot of noise in conference this season.  South Carolina gets moved down here after struggling with Navy but they will move up easily if they continue to win.

Insight Bowl: Ohio State v. Oklahoma State
The Buckeyes continue to drop and right now it is impossible to tell where they will finally stop.  Right now I think they manage a middling conference record but the Buckeyes have to be fretting the conference slate after an incredibly poor offensive performance in Miami.

Gator Bowl: Iowa v. Georgia
Look, we know next to nothing about Iowa right now.  This team could potentially be higher or it could miss a bowl game entirely.  Only time will tell if the Hawkeyes are well placed here.  Georgia is in a similar boat, the Bulldogs destroyed an FCS foe this weekend but the Dogs still have tons of question marks.

Texas Bowl: Michigan State v. Baylor 

Sparty lands here after losing a rough one on the road to Notre Dame.  I think this is probably close to the floor for Sparty this season and if they start playing well against tougher competition then they have nowhere to go but up.  Baylor remains here and they have the potential to start the season 5-0.  If the manage that feet, they will only need a win against either Texas Tech, Texas, or Kansas to get to a secon consecutive bowl game.

Ticket City Bowl: Penn State v. SMU
No change with SMU as the Mustangs are just chugging along.  The Nittany Lions have yet to throw a touchdown pass and the defense was surprisingly unimpressive at Temple.  Penn State looks much more like the team they fielded last year which is bad news as they face a very tough conference schedule.

Little Caeser's Pizza Pizza Bowl: Northwestern v. Ohio

You could certainly concoct a scenario from this point where Northwestern doesn't even make a bowl game.  The defense looked pathetic against Army and Colter was injured in the game further thinning their QB depth.  The Cats are off this week but have a road trip to Illinois off the bye and Fitzgerald has yet to win a game after a week off.  This team has potential but right now they face a tough gauntlet just to get to bowl elidgibility.